As you embark on your video creation journey, remember that rules are not meant to be restrictive but rather serve as guiding principles. Once mastered, they can be skillfully broken with purpose and intent. Let’s delve into the crucial aspects of planning your video:

Define Your Objective

Clearly outline the goals and objectives of your video. What do you want to achieve? Why are you telling this story? Why is it important? Understanding your purpose will help shape your storytelling approach.

Identify Your Audience

Determine the target audience for your video. Who are you trying to reach? Consider their demographics, interests, and preferences. Tailor your narrative and visual style to resonate with this specific audience.

Craft a Compelling Narrative

Develop a strong narrative that hooks your audience from the start. Define the key message or story arc you want to convey.

• Write a treatment for your story. A treatment is a paragraph-form telling of your story from beginning to end. Even in the realm of non-fiction, writing your film out as you’d ideally like it to go, can help you plan for the shoot and communicate your vision to others. Write your film out almost like a short story, introducing the characters, conflict, and resolution.

Check out this example and video below for more guidance on how to a treatment:

Storyboards

Storyboards can also be used to create a visual roadmap of your video. Sketch out key scenes, camera angles, and transitions. This helps visualize the flow of your narrative and ensures a cohesive and visually appealing final product:

Draw out every shot you want to get with an explanation of the other elements you envision (music, interview, narration, natural sound etc).

Other Factors to Consider:

• Location and Logistics: Determine the shooting locations that best serve your narrative. Consider factors such as accessibility, lighting conditions, and background noise. Plan any necessary permissions, permits, or logistics required for filming in specific locations.

• Equipment and Resources: Assess the equipment and resources needed for your video production. Determine the camera, lenses, lighting, and audio equipment required to achieve the desired visual quality. Consider additional resources such as props, costumes, or talent if needed.

• Scheduling and Timeline: Create a production schedule that outlines key milestones and deadlines. Allocate sufficient time for pre-production tasks, filming, and post-production editing. A well-planned timeline ensures a smooth workflow and timely completion of your video.

Remember, thorough planning sets the stage for successful video storytelling. While this planning phase provides a solid framework, allow yourself the flexibility to adapt and make creative choices as you progress. The next section will delve into the art of video composition and framing, where we will explore techniques to bring your visual narrative to life.